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Jun 23, 2014 | 01:30

Al Jazeera journalists' families outraged by prison sentence

The mother of Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste exclaims ''My God, my God'' upon learning an Egyptian court has sentenced her son and two other journalists to seven years in prison. Deborah Gembara reports.

TRANSCRIPT +

The sentence handed down by an Egyptisn judge for three Al Jazeera journalists sparked outrage from family members.
SOUNDBITE: BROTHER OF SENTENCED JOURNALIST PETER GRESTE, MIKE GRESTE, SAYING:
"Wrong verdict. I do not know how the judge came to that decision. I'd be very interested to hear his reasons for giving that verdict. It does not make any sense."
Australian Peter Greste, Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were sentenced to seven years in jail, after being convicted of "aiding a terrorist organisation" by spreading lies. Mohamed is looking at a 10 year sentence due to an additional separate charge involving possession of ammunition.
Fahmy's brother, Adel.
SOUNDBITE: BROTHER OF SENTENCED JOURNALIST MOHAMED FADEL FAHMY, ADEL FADEL FAHMY, SAYING (ARABIC):
"This is clear cut corruption. It is a corrupt and politicized case and everything is wrong in this case," he said.
In Brisbane, Australia -- Greste's parents who have been following the proceeding online, learn their son's fate.
SOUNDBITE: LOIS GRESTE, THE MOTHER OF AL JAZEERA JOURNALIST PETER GRESTE READING OUT:
'Seven years for Peter Greste and five other six defendants present. My God, my God, sorry."
SOUNDBITE: JURIS GRESTE SAYING:
"That's crazy. That's crazy. That's absolutely crazy."
All three journalists have denied the charges. Australia, Canadian, American and British officials have criticized the ruling.

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